In its most recent report to the UN Security Council, the UNSC sanctions committee on Yemen briefed the international body about Houthi involvement in sexual violence, especially against women who oppose their movement.
The 51-page report also sheds light on the continued weapons trafficking to Houthis in the war-torn country. Moreover, it exposes the Iran-backed group’s continued recruitment of child soldiers in areas under its control.
It included data and statistics on the military, political and economic conditions and the violations committed by the Houthi militia during the past year, especially in the Marib Governorate and the West Coast.
It also touched on the developments of the Stockholm Agreement and the Riyadh Agreement.
In the report, the committee accuses Houthis of committing violations against residents of areas under their control and preventing the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement from carrying out its work.
The summary of the report stated that Houthi militias continue to push their systematic campaign to force the population to adhere to their ideology, including organizing summer and cultural camps and training courses for adults and children.
The report emphasized that the Houthi policy of inflicting sexual violence continued, as did the repression against women and political activists, even after the death of Houthi official Sultan Zabin, who was primarily responsible for sexual abuse in the group’s prisons.
In addition, the report highlighted continued hostilities by Houthi militias. These acts of violence include the launching of ballistic missiles and drones.
According to the report, most types of drones and short-range missiles are assembled in Houthi-controlled areas using locally available as well as commercial materials, such as engines and electronics, which are obtained from abroad using a complex network of intermediaries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Finally, the committee recommended that the UNSC calls on member states to intensify efforts to combat weapons smuggling to Yemen.
